Windows

About “Windows”

–I. Glass [4:29]

–II. Screen [5:03]

–III. Air [5:19]

“Windows” is a brass quintet (2 trumpets, French horn, trombone, and bass trombone) made up of three movements (I. Glass, II. Screen, III. Air) based on three different types of windows/elements of windows. The entire work is about 15 minutes long. The inspiration of the piece stems from one of the marimba solos I was learning for graduate school at the time I composed this piece: “Reflections on the Nature of Water” by Jacob Druckman. Prior to learning the piece, my professor (Ji Hye Jung) told me to listen to another piece by Jacob Druckman called “Windows.” Upon hearing only the name “Windows” I instantly thought I knew what it would sound like. Druckman’s “Windows” sounds nothing like what imagined it would. So, the brass quintet I’ve written, “Windows,” is the piece that I expected Druckman’s piece to be prior to listening to that piece, or any other by Jacob Druckman.

I decided to write for bass trombone instead of tuba because I love the sound of the bass trombone.

I.GLASS

Imagine giant panes of glass floating in space. Perfectly clean panes against a completely black background. There is a small source of light coming from somewhere beyond the glass. The light reflects off of the panes of glass as they rotate in space, sometimes defining the edges of the panes, sometimes causing the panes to appear invisible. This is movement I. Massive panes of glass floating in and out of existence.

II.SCREEN

The canon ostinato in the two trumpets is a rhythmic interpretation of a screen over a window. The trombones and French horn act as insects zipping onto and around the window (particularly with the glissandi).

III.AIR

This movement is an open window on the most peaceful of days. The gentle breeze from the outdoors, the purest moments of nature.